Call for Justice, a civil society group, on Sunday welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s judgement on the post-poll violence in West Bengal and lauded its decision to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In an official statement, the group thanked the five-member bench of the High Court for ordering a CBI probe, specifically, in the “incidents of rape, murder and crimes against women” and the formation of SITs to investigate the matter.

The Fact-Finding Committee, constituted by the Call for Justice, in its report on post-poll violence in West Bengal submitted to the Minister of State, Home Affairs, Government of India on June 29, 2021 specifically recommended constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for fair investigation and early justice to be monitored by the court.

“Democracy is a proven political system that has stood the test of time and periodical conduct of free and fair elections reflect the maturity of participatory processes. Retributive violence, targeted intimidation, retaliation, coercion, mob frenzy defeats the basic purpose of informed participation and thereby violate the sanctity of elections,” stated the CFJ.

It went on to assert that the judgement of the high court in this instant case clearly highlights that the criminalisation and lumpenisation of the political system are no longer to be tolerated and no political party can abdicate its responsibility in discharge of constitutional responsibility.

It further said, “Violence may temporarily appear as useful but it ultimately destroys the basic ethos of democracy and will be counterproductive.”

“The essence of the Judgement of the Hon’ble Court is an eye-opener for all the political parties that no one is above the law and logic of justice must be adhered by all those who believe in norms of democracy and follow non-negotiable principles as enshrined in the Constitution of India,” said the Call for Justice while concluding its statement.

Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe, formation of SITs in WB post-poll violence

Back on August 19, the Calcutta High Court ordered a court-monitored CBI probe into the incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal.

The High Court also ordered to set up SITs for investigation and senior officers from West Bengal cadre will be a part of the team.

Several incidents of violence were reported at various places after the announcement of the Assembly poll results on May 2, after which a four-member team deputed by the Ministry of Home Affairs also visited the post-poll violence-affected areas.

The Calcutta high court eventually took cognizance of the matter and asked the NHRC to examine all the cases of alleged violence. The seven-member committee submitted its final report on July 13.

The state government later filed an affidavit, refuting the charges while alleging that the report was politically motivated.